Review: Flutist Michael Taylor At Carnegie Hall
[Written by Dale Butler]
It was indeed an honour to be asked to review two Bermudians who participated in the American Protégé International Music Competition, Winners Recital, held at Carnegie Hall [NYC]. With Bermudians Dr. Constance Ridley-Smith [piano] placing second in her division and Mr. Michael Taylor [flutist] placing third in his, once again the Bermuda flag flew high internationally and we should all be proud.
Both participants had a suitcase of key ingredients that prepared them to be on stage where they were judged against the standards of classical music. We can only salute their dedication and commitment to be the best.
Bermudian music students who aspire to take this route to Carnegie will benefit from this duo who received certificates – Mr. Taylor for performance and Dr. Ridley-Smith for achievement in teaching music and presenting students to perform at Carnegie Hall. Dr. Ridley-Smith and Mr. Taylor can coach students who are studying music and equip them with the theory, technique, and presentation skills they need to get to the Conservatory level and play in such recitals at Carnegie Hall.
Dr. Ridley-Smith accompanied Mr. Taylor on flute as he performed the Sonata in D Minor by Gottfried Finger. At the end of the recital, it was interesting to see a number of other participants from various cities and countries gravitate to the two Bermudian musicians. I observed them commending their performance, initiating music dialogue, and suggesting collaboration in the future.
On Friday, June 29th at 7.30pm, Weill Recital Hall in Carnegie Hall came to life when 40 participants stepped on stage with confidence after many hours of practice and instruction from their teachers. They all dressed like professionals and once Annabelle Garcia, aged 7, stepped on stage, the standard was set for a night of great music in front of parents, teachers and friends.
What a joy to see and read the numerous awards many had won. Here is just a short list of competitions given in their biographies that might inspire our students to look beyond our shores:
- Bangkok International Young Musicians
- Royal Sound Music Competition
- Bravo Children’s Music Festival
- Rocky Mountain Music Competition
- The Great Composers International Music Competition
- National Student Music Scholarship Concours and many more
The young students gave excellent performances on piano, flute, guitar and saxophone. Vocal selections were added this time, highlighting special emphasis on Broadway songs. Some of these songs were not easy to perform, as they were out of context from the play, but the students were not bothered and completed each one as though they were the stars of the Broadway stage. Songs like:
- The place where lost things go
- Les Miserables, the Musical
- Pippin the Musical, Corner of the sky
- The Phantom of the Opera to name but a few
All were dressed extremely well. One adult performer was even dressed in tuxedo and tails. This was to be expected at Carnegie Hall. It was great to see two sisters flawlessly doing a piano duet on piano. This duet was not performed by a student accompanied by a teacher, which is typical. The sisters appeared to be no older than age 11. Wow!
Exceptional among the young people you are likely to be hearing from in the years to come [if they pursue a music career] were :
- Juho Paek – violin
- Elisa Carrillo – singer
- Alyssa Lee – violin
- Grace Cho – piano
- Justin Wu – piano
- Carolyn Fu – piano
- Sansanee Techateerawat – singer
- Reshabh Chakrabarty – piano, to name but a few
Number 30 on the programme was our own Michael Taylor, who had earned his position on stage, fulfilling a lifelong dream. There were about three adult participants in this recital, each of whom had finished other careers to devote their energies to their music performance. This type of dedication has enabled Michael to master his instrument and benefit from the additional skills given to him through the Extension Division at Juilliard School of Music. If you are interested in joining a cohort and taking tutorials to facilitate your success in this rigorous programme, contact Dr. Constance Ridley-Smith at 505-1928 or email theflutetaylor@gmail.com.
Michael Taylor performed Sonata in D minor. A sonata is generally described as “a long piece of classical music that’s usually made up of several parts.” Its literal translation is “sounded” or “played,” which is in contrast to another musical term “cantata,” which means “sung” or “musical piece that is sung.”
Mr. Taylor’s performance began with the first movement, which was an introduction with a slow tempo, performed at a walking pace. The second movement was made interesting by fast sixteenth notes and trills. The piece was explored, then expanded with the wispy, ethereal third movement and ended with a fourth movement, a playful waltz.
The room went dead quiet for this piece which enabled Mr. Taylor to show perfect tone quality, intonation, rhythm, and expression. Known everywhere as a gentleman and scholar, it suited his personality and in this world of conflict it was perfect to remind us of such beautiful and reflective moments, which we all need. This piece was a more pensive and quiet selection and a direct contrast to the thunderous, dramatic, and prestissimo [extremely fast] selection: Chopin’s Revolutionary Etude Op. 10, No.12 in C Minor that Dr. Ridley-Smith performed the week before, for which she also drew loud applause, a sign she was accomplished and took control of her selection with appropriate phrasing, musicality and storytelling; see my report dated June 25th.
With two reviews at Carnegie under my belt, I was also pleased to have been asked to cover them and I have a few additional comments.
A personal highlight was taking my photo beside that of Marian Anderson [Contralto -1897-1993], whose music is regularly played in my house on a Grundig record player, along with Mahalia Jackson [1911-1972], Jessie Norman [1945-2019], and Leontyne Price, aged 97. I had pleasant memories just standing there. I felt the presence of my grandmother Myrtle [soprano], mom, Rosalie Stella [soprano], and aunt, Una [contralto].
The staff at the historic Carnegie Hall were first class and the facility is in excellent shape.
We do have excellent teachers and players in Bermuda from all ethnic groups and we do have supportive parents but many of our children choose other careers. In closing, I salute Dr. Constance Ridley-Smith and Mr. Michael Taylor for boosting their qualifications and for being open to working with anyone interested in improving their skills, whilst gaining credits that are recognized by other colleges and universities. Students and adult musicians are encouraged to join the Bermuda cohort for Juilliard study, each semester, beginning September 2024. The cohort will gain better pricing for the comprehensive services described, provide the academic support needed to matriculate to completion, and connect the dots with the students’ private lessons they are already taking.
The first course in the curriculum includes scales, key signatures, circle of fifths, and intervals. Says Mr. Taylor, “you cannot master your instrument without knowing your scales backwards and forwards.” “You cannot sing on pitch without mastery of intervals,” added Dr. Ridley-Smith, whose daughters Ashley and Amber are accomplished singers.
- Dale Butler: As the Professor of Bermuda Music, would not be so if he failed to add to his skills, critiques of classical music; after all, he did tell us as a child he was exposed to every type of music by his family and he did the same with his two sons. You can reach him at daledbutler@gmail.com or 595-9841. His next project is The Rosalie Gardens Heartbeat Film Festival: July 10-14 featuring his documentaries:Incarceration on Paget Island, Homelessness, Gun Violence, music and tap dancing in Havana. Stay tuned.
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